Love's Labor's Lost Summary

Ferdinand, the king of Navarre, has taken a solemn vow and has forced three of his attending lords to take it also. They have sworn that for three years they will fast and study, enjoy no pleasures, and see no ladies. None of the three noblemen wanted to take the vow; Berowne, in particular, feels that it will be impossible to keep his promise. He points out this fact to the king by reminding him that the princess of France is approaching the court of Navarre to present a petition from her father, who is ill. The king agrees that he will be compelled to see her, but he adds that in such cases the vow must be broken by necessity. Berowne foresees that “necessity” will often cause the breaking of their vows.

The only amusement the king and his lords are to have is provided by Costard, a clown, and by Don Adriano de Armado, a foolish Spaniard attached to the court. Armado writes to the king to inform him that Costard has been caught in the company of Jaquenetta, a country wench of dull mind. Since all attached to the court have been under the same laws of abstinence from earthly pleasures, Costard is remanded to Armado’s custody and ordered to fast on bran and water for one week. The truth is that Armado also loves Jaquenetta. He fears the king will learn of his love and punish him in the same manner.

The princess of France arrives with her three attendants. All are fair, and they expect to be received at the palace in the manner due their rank. The king, however, sends word that they will be housed at his lodge because, under the terms of his vow, no lady can enter the palace. The princess, furious at being treated in this fashion, scorns the king for his bad manners. When she presents to him the petition from her father, she and the king cannot agree because he asserts that he has not received certain monies that she claims have been delivered to him.

At that first meeting, although each would have denied the fact, eight hearts are set to beating faster. The king views the princess with more than courteous interest. Berowne, Longaville, and Dumaine, his attendants, look with love on the princess’s ladies-in-waiting, Rosaline, Maria, and Katharine. A short time later, Berowne sends a letter to Rosaline, with Costard as his messenger. Armado has also given Costard a letter, his to be delivered to Jaquenetta. Costard, who is illiterate, mixes up the letters, giving Jaquenetta’s to Rosaline and Rosaline’s to the country wench.

Berowne learns that he had been correct in thinking the vow to leave the world behind would soon be broken. Hiding in a tree, he hears the king read aloud a sonnet that proclaims his love for the princess....

(The entire section is 1098 words.)

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